NS Train of 5:40 to Schiphol Airport and Flight HOME

 It is not easy when the final hours are slipping through your fingers...

Here we are, rising around 4:00 AM in order to be at the Train Station by 5:30 to catch the train from 5:40 to Schiphol Airport.

At 5:35 with friend Sissy next to my suitcases.

Bringing home some of Mom & Dad's treasures and sentimental things...

I'd come to The Netherlands with my Delsey suitcase inside the big pink one. 

My one way NS Horst–Sevenum to Schiphol Airport train ticket...

In one hour and 58 minutes we would be arriving by 07:41 at Schiphol Airport.

A Happy WeFie...

Ellie and I...

And one inside the train...

At Schiphol Airport there was NO COURTESY!

Dutchnews.nl wrote the above that Schiphol has been grappling with the problem since the May school holidays. Hundreds of flights have been scrapped... due to staff shortages!

Dutchreview.com wrote the above...

Staff shortage and also strikes

It felt great for finally having made it to the accelerated check–in (they did not let me pass at first; very rude...).

Schiphol Airport was a FAR CRY from the courtesy received in Savannah and also in New York!

My seat turned out to be the FIRST row with added space

DELTA PREMIUM SELECT seat 20D

Once my suitcases got labeled, and I had my boarding pass, we all three went to have a FINAL cup of cappuccino or whatever...

At 8:11 AM, I paid this for some bread and croissant for Sissy as they had to once again travel the two hours by rail back home...

By 8:26 I got the message via my Delta App on KPN server in NL, that my bag was now onboard, of course also received the same message for my 2nd bag!

Now the FINAL GOODBYE arrived and it was very emotional.

I waved till I no longer could see them...

Security check went fine, no shoes needed to be removed and all went swift.

Then I had to get in line for Passport Check... that was the longest line I've ever seen!!!

Wish I'd used my Strava App, as I walked a lot!

At the gate, again I awaited very rude treatment; ZERO COURTESY!

Felt awful for two elderly couples, using a wheelchair and they had it already folded up.

Then we got ushered through the so–called pre–boarding...

NOPE—we ended up in a holding area with NO CHAIRS!

Okay, we all made it to the plane eventually, but what a far cry from the once great service and courtesy!

Bye–bye Netherlands...

My ADJUSTABLE FOOTREST was working this time!

Also received my TUMI AMENITY KIT not on my way over...

AMS – JFK total time 7 hours and 29 minutes

Past Ireland...

Now more than halfway...

As said, Premium Select seat 20D was right behind the wall, with extra space, easy to get up for using the restroom.

The blanket felt cozy and warm and I did wear my down puffer jacket, once in my seat, had stuffed it inside my Delsey back pack.

Wrapped up cozy...

The extended leg and foot rest was great and I never even used my plump pillow, it stayed in the front of my seat in its plastic cover.

Emotional goodbyes over the last few days but I was going HOME to my Pieter!

Arriving in New York and again lots of walking!

On my Delta App, I got the Gate Change, even farther walking...

The final stretch of this emotional journey now to Savannah...

Seated in 7C in Comfort

Bye–bye New York...

More steps for Savannah but the BIG SURPRISE was that we landed 35 minutes ahead of schedule.

So I used the restroom, then grabbed my two bags and went outside, on the Delta curb and called Pieter with his private driver Mike.

They were surprised, they'd just walked inside for using the bathroom and now learned that I already  was outside with my suitcases.

In no time we were in the car and heading HOME.

Feeling a lot of GRATITUDE for so many that made this an unforgettable time!

My final time going to my country of birth...

Dear friends and family will remain forever inside my heart and I treasure the many fond moments.

May God keep us all healthy!

Related links:

Visiting Friend Mariëlle in Husband Pieter's Province | previous post by me

Visiting Niece Caro Because She Visited Us in Georgia... | previous post by me

Sunny Day for Walking in Limburg with LOTS of Humor | previous post by me

Biking in my Province of Limburg | previous post by me

Limburg 4Days Marches — Fun Fair and Dinner with Friends | previous post by me

Visiting Castle Gardens Arcen with Friend Ellie | previous post by me

Food for Body and Soul in Limburg | previous post by me

Walking in Limburg in Beautiful Nature | previous post by me

Limburg — The Emotional Part | previous post by me

In Limburg with Friends | previous post by me

Flying on Delta Premium Select–Savannah to Amsterdam | previous post by me

Back Home from my 67th Trip to Limburg in The Netherlands | previous post by me

Flying on Delta Premium Select–Savannah to Amsterdam

 FINALLY, after years of COVID nonsense, I would be flying across the Atlantic Ocean for bringing home some special items from Mom & Dad's Estate.

Things that could NOT be sent by mail or any other means as their sentimental value was too high.

So, on the evening before husband Pieter's 93rd Birthday, I logged in to his Delta account for checking how many miles he had left.

Pieter had indicated that with all the nonsense going on at present he did NOT want to fly; way too much stress for his heart condition.

How RIGHT HE WAS!

This was Thursday evening, where I had the option for 148,000 miles to fly with Premium Select (only 2 seats available!) to Amsterdam, from Savannah, Georgia via Detroit, Michigan.

Did not want to complete this option before checking with Pieter (who was by now sleeping...)

Next day I tried again to complete my trip on line but could not do so...

My long legal name, always causes problems.

So, I had to call.

After 1 hour 47 minutes (mainly for being on hold...) I finally managed to book this special Premium Select flight!

Now I had to pay with 152,000 miles, but I GOT it and was oh so happy, and so was Pieter for making very good use of his miles!

This very flight would have cost me US $ 2,406.97 + Tax in the end...

LOVED this: ADJUSTABLE FOOTREST.

Arrive refreshed... especially for a night flight — I loved this idea!

BUT on my departure day at 2:03 AM while we were sound asleep... This email arrived.

My Flight got cancelled but rebooked.

Now I had to fly via Paris on Air France and then on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to Amsterdam...

Our private driver, who used our own car, arrived by 10:00 AM to drive us to the Savannah Airport in two hours time.

At the special check–in counter for Sky Priority® I showed my paperwork and the agent was so helpful and courteous but he did NOT manage to print my boarding passes for whatever reason.

So he called a higher ranking Delta person, who had to call him back.

A total of 2 hours I stood there, Pieter and our private driver waiting patiently.

But nothing could be done.

Went home with this... a new booking for next day!

Due to INTERRUPTED TRAVEL...

My new schedule for the SHORT solo trip to Limburg, The Netherlands...

Sure enough, we again went to Savannah, with our private driver.

I joked, that now Mike our driver, didn't even need the GPS as we all remembered the Interstate exits... 😏

Arriving in Savannah, the very same agent at the Sky Priority® counter recognized me from afar and waved.

In no time he'd checked me in and I was off to Atlanta and on to Amsterdam.

Hugging and kissing my Pieter goodbye for a brief time!

When I tried to call Pieter from Savannah, my iPhone 13Pro read: no server!

True, as I had requested to switch my service to The Netherlands and that went already into effect.

But in Atlanta I still managed to do a video WhatsApp call with Pieter at home, just before boarding with the use of the Airport WiFi.

I was in the air soon...

The adjustable footrest however did NOT FUNCTION, neither for my neighbor, a young German.

But I managed to fly to Amsterdam!

Oh, also my Low Sodium/No Salt added meal went 'missing'...

And NO Tumi Amenity Kit either.

On my way and yes, I did wear my down jacket during the flight!

Felt great.

Stay tuned for more...

Related link:

Back Home from my 67th Trip to Limburg in The Netherlands | previous post by me

Delta Premium Select | Delta's Newest Cabin Revealed | Delta Air Lines | short 28 seconds video

Back Home from my 67th Trip to Limburg in The Netherlands

 Just to leave a token of being alive and well...

Yes, on Friday, June 17 by 19:30 I got home with our private driver (in our own car) from the Savannah Airport.

I'd flown in at JFK New York on Delta Airlines 49, earlier and then the Delta flight to Savannah, Georgia.

Pieter was happy and so was I!

And of course our kitties...

This sweet note from my Pieter awaited me:

LL—Lieve Lieverd or Dear Sweetheart in English...

Together with these Red Roses... neatly arranged in our Wedgwood Cream Color on Cream Color vase.

Detail...

Two days later I'd arranged them in a different Wedgwood Cream Color on Cream Color compote bowl.

Of course teamed up with our rose linen table cloth...

More about my trip later.

This was the 2nd time that Pieter and I have been separated for some 3 weeks...

When he went in March/April, 1987 to China for People to People Citizen Ambassador Program.

Also then, I went solo to Limburg for being with family and friends.

Related link:

{People to People Citizen Ambassador Program - Husband Pieter's Trip to East Asia} | previous post by me

Our Vacation at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa

 On July 23 in 1998 I managed to book a flight to Hawaii on our Delta Airlines miles.

That was 60,000 miles for both of us!

Those were the days...

Flying to Hawaii is even 400 miles farther than flying to Amsterdam and it is 5 hours time difference with the East Coast.

So after a long stretch of 8.5 hours we landed. 

With a shuttle we went to our Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa ←click link.

Here you see the Hyatt Regency Twin Towers...

A beautiful complex with 40 levels and over 1,200 rooms.

We both stayed in room 3461, so not quite at the top!

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki's twin towers put visitors close to the action in Waikiki.

Luxurious suites, breathtaking views, the sand, sun, and sea... all a part of Hyatt's Hawaii.

Delta Air Lines got us here FREE for 60,000 miles for both of us!

Happy, for having organized it this way...

View from our balcony...

We were in heaven!

Happy me on the balcony and wearing my Majorica pearls and I managed to purchase the 15" black pearl necklace with ring and earrings at Neiman Marcus. 

These are 14 mm and also 15" as 16" is too wide for me...

Ocean view...

This is a post card with the view of Waikiki from the Sheraton Hotel Waikiki...

A DREAM! 

Stay tuned for more...

Related link:

Pearl Harbor Hawaii | previous post by me